Players, media and fans alike struggled to wrap their minds around the fact the Texans would trade a receiver, who earned first-team All-Pro honors each of the last three seasons, for former Cardinals running back David Johnson.

The 27-year-old Hopkins has had five years of 1,100-plus receiving yards including two 1,500-plus receiving yard seasons. He’s arguably the best receiver in the NFL.

Johnson, on the other hand, is a different story. While certainly not a bad backfield option, the 28-year-old played 13 games in 2019 (nine starts) and rushed for 345 yards and two touchdowns.

The transaction certainly prompted some harsh words directed at the Texans.

Deandre Hopkins is 27 and the Cardinals just got him with 3 years left on his contract for 12.5M, 13.5M and 13.9M at the cost of a cooked RB who was eating their cap space and a 2nd rd pick. Maybe the best WR in the NFL.

honestly if Bill O’Brien would have called me offering DeAndre Hopkins for David Johnson I would have assumed it was a prank and hung up so credit to Steve Keim for having faith and keeping the line open https://t.co/iV2sauD7TZ